Over 40 Missing After Boat Capsizes En Route to Sokoto Market

What was supposed to be a routine trip to the market ended in tragedy when a boat carrying dozens of passengers capsized en route to Sokoto. According to eyewitnesses, the boat — packed with traders, goods, and students — struggled against strong currents before overturning mid-journey. Rescue efforts are currently underway, but authorities fear that more than 40 passengers remain missing. Local divers and emergency responders have been deployed, while families gather anxiously at the riverbank, praying for news of their loved ones. One survivor recounted the terrifying moment: “The boat tilted suddenly. People screamed, others jumped into the river. I don’t know how I survived — many didn’t make it.” This incident shines a harsh spotlight on Nigeria’s recurring boat safety crisis. Overcrowding, poor maintenance, and lack of safety gear have made waterways increasingly dangerous, with accidents claiming lives year after year. As Sokoto mourns and rescue teams search tirelessly, the nation is left asking the same painful question: how many more lives must be lost before lasting solutions are put in place?